Strängnäs

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Strängnäs


image_caption = Seen from the south
pushpin_

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Sweden
subdivision_type1 = Municipality
subdivision_name1 = Strängnäs Municipality
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Södermanland County
subdivision_type3 = Province
subdivision_name3 = Södermanland
area_footnotes = cite web |title=Tätorternas landareal, folkmängd och invånare per km² 2000 och 2005 |publisher=Statistics Sweden |url=http://www.scb.se/statistik/MI/MI0810/2005A01B/T%E4torternami0810tab1.xls |format=xls |language=Swedish |accessdate=2008-05-15]
area_total_km2 = 5.92
population_as_of = 2005-12-31
population_footnotes =
population_total = 12,296
population_density_km2 = 2077
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd=59 |latm=22 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=17 |longm=02 |longs= |longEW=E
website =

Strängnäs is a city in Södermanland, in south central Sweden, located by Lake Mälaren with approximately 12,300 inhabitants.

Strängnäs is the seat of Strängnäs Municipality, Södermanland County and the episcopal see of the Diocese of Strängnäs, a former Roman Catholic and present Lutheran Diocese, with the Strängnäs Cathedral, built 1291 as an important landmark.

History

The name Strängnäs is first encountered in 1120, as the name of the Diocese. It leads back to the fact that the city is placed by a strait and on several hills, especially on two major ones, the "Mill Hill" and the "Cathedral Hill". The name "Strängnäs" is derived from Old Norse "strengr" ("narrow channel of water") and "nes" ("headland") or ("hill") . A monastery was established around 1250, and the cathedral inaugurated in 1291, and the town continued to evolve around these two institutions.

The oldest known city charter stem from 1336 by King Magnus Eriksson. Strängnäs became a city of importance in the Södermanland province, as the location of the thing and an annual market. In the 15th and 16th century, Strängnäs had an important place in the history of Sweden, the reformation, with prominent reformators Laurentius Andreae and Olaus Petri; and King Gustav Vasa elected king in Strängnäs in 1523. It attracted some education and scholarship: in 1626 the Thomas Gymnasium was established, and is today Sweden's second oldest operating gymnasium.

The development of Strängnäs seems to have been slow after that, and only flourishing temporarily with the arrival of energetic bishops. The 19th century called for industrial investments, which Strängnäs did not possess. A fire in 1871 led to large reconstructions of the city, from which time its current appearance stems.

Today

Many of the inhabitants of Strängnäs commute to Stockholm, Södertälje and Eskilstuna.
European route E20 also passes the city.

Twin cities and towns

* Ribe, Municipality of Esbjerg, Denmark

References

* Nordisk familjebok. ( [http://runeberg.org/nfcg/0235.html article "Strängnäs" online] -- in Swedish)

External links

* [http://www.strangnas.se/ Strängnäs] - Official site